Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
760. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department has considered providing for an enhanced PSO to service the island of Arranmore off the coast of Donegal that would allow for a later sailing to accommodate the island community and those visiting the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41414/26]
View answerMy Department provides a range of dedicated supports specifically to our inhabited offshore islands, with significant annual investment in subsidised transport services to ensure our island communities can avail of regular, reliable and affordable year-round transport services.
My Department procures these transport services on the open market, adhering to procurement regulations, and successful suppliers are paid a subsidy to provide services where it may not otherwise be viable for them to do so.
My Department engages with island communities as part of the contract renewal process, to seek their views on the existing services and identify any additional matters to be taken into consideration for the next contract.
The tender documents set down the minimum level of service required, which seeks to strike a balance between the acceptable minimum frequency to ensure mainland connectivity for the island community without distorting the market for private operators that are not in receipt of a subsidy.
However, the tender process does not limit or restrict the number of sailings that operators can provide. Where there is a demand for extra sailings operators may, and often do, provide additional sailings.
Prior to the commencement of a service, successful operators must engage with the island communities to agree a schedule that best suits the islanders requirements while adhering to the minimum service as set out in the tender document.
The current subsidised contract for Árainn Mhór came into effect on 1 September 2025. During the summer season, a minimum of 8 daily return sailings are provided Monday to Thursday with an additional sailing on a Friday giving a total of 9 return sailings. During the winter schedule, a minimum of 6 return sailings are provided Monday to Thursday with an additional sailing on a Friday giving a total of 7 return sailings. A slightly reduced service is provided for Saturdays and Sundays.
I am satisfied that the current agreed frequency of service for Oileán Árainn Mhór delivers good mainland connectivity without oversaturating the market for private operators.
